Electrochemical tuning of optical properties of graphitic quantum dots

Graphitic quantum dots (GQDs), as a new class of quantum dots, possess unique properties. Among the various reported approaches for their fabrication, electrochemical method possesses numerous advantages compared with others. In particular, the formation process of the GQDs could be precisely controlled by this method through adjusting the electrochemical parameters and environment. In this study, GQDs with multi-color fluorescence (FL) were obtained by this method through tuning only the applied potential window of cycling voltammetry. The luminescence mechanism of those GQDs was discussed and explained by the ultraviolet (UV)–visible, photoluminescence (PL), and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. The influence of the applied potential window on the PL properties of GQDs and the relationship between the degree of surface oxidation and PL properties were also investigated. - Highlights: • We produced the graphite quantum dots (GQDs) by an electrochemical method. • We changed the applied potentials of cycling voltammetry (CV). • Varying of applied potentials changed surface oxygen-containing groups of GQDs. • Higher surface oxidation degree resulted in the red-shift of PL spectra